Sparta upsets Mount Olive in thrilling overtime victory
SPARTA, N.J. — Imagine having to face an opponent that is first in the division, capable of scoring seven goals and is undefeated. That鈥檚 the task the Sparta varsity girls鈥� soccer team had on Wednesday and they were ready for it.
The Spartans (2-0 overall, 1-0 NJAC) defeated the Mount Olive Marauders (3-1 overall, 3-0 NJAC) 3-2 (OT) in a tight-knit, hard fought battle.
With the victory, Sparta head coach Daniel Trappe was pleased with his team鈥檚 effort and also acknowledged Mount Olive as a formidable opponent.
鈥淢ount Olive was well coached and moved the ball very well,鈥� Trappe said. 鈥淭oday we showed a lot of heart and used that to push us to win.鈥�
Trappe followed up by noting how important his team鈥檚 offensive depth was in the game.
鈥淪eeing three different players get a goal is something all coaches want,鈥� Trappe said. 鈥淚t lets the team rely on more than one person to get the timely goal.鈥�
It all started early in the first half, as the Spartans were able to gain an early lead thanks to senior midfielder Kate Mazzella sliding the ball past the Marauders goalkeeper for her first goal of the season.
Coach Trappe had nothing but glowing remarks to say about Mazzella and her performance on Wednesday.
鈥淜ate has not only scored, but has been the main playmaker for our offense,鈥� Trappe said. 鈥淜ate has shown true leadership with her work ethic on the field and her ability to make the girls around her better.鈥�
However, you had a feeling Mount Olive was going to strike back.
Their chance came late in the first half, as Mount Olive sophomore forward Bella Duteau got behind the Sparta defense and launched a sharp kick past the reach of senior goalkeeper Shauna Ryan to tie the game.
Mount Olive carried the momentum to the beginning of the second half, as Duteau gained possession in the Sparta defensive zone and sent a looping kick that went over Ryan鈥檚 head to gain a 2-1 lead.
Towards the end of the second half, things got interesting. Once again, Mazzella had possession on the Mount Olive defensive zone and performed a nifty touch pass to sophomore midfielder Juliana Dolinski.
Dolinski rifled a kick to right corner of the net to tie this game. Dolinski has also tallied a goal in each of the Spartans first two games.
Both teams then kept each other off the scoreboard for the rest of half, so this one had to be settled in overtime.
Early in the period, Sparta gained possession and sent a high kick towards the opposing goal, where the ball was corralled by sophomore attacker Abigail Pierson. Pierson then gained control and thrust the ball to the back of the net for the game winner.
The home fans were overjoyed for Pierson, along with her teammates and especially her coach.
鈥淪eeing Abigail Pierson get on the score sheet with an assist and goal was great to see,鈥� Trappe said. 鈥淪he is a huge part of the offense and seeing her get the first goal of the year was awesome.鈥�
Mount Olive will look to rebound against West Morris on Friday at 4 p.m. Sparta will look to carry the momentum against Morris Knolls on Friday at 4 p.m.
Trappe believes a big key for the Spartans will be continuing to show their belief in their game
鈥淪tay confident in one another and understand they are capable of anything,鈥� Trappe said. 鈥淭his is a great group, when they are working together, they really put together great results on the field.鈥�
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